Chapter two is up! Thanks for reading! The more people read/comment on my stories, the faster I post. I love hearing what you think. :)


Varian leaned against the wall in his son's chambers and watched as Anduin read the letter from Velen. He could see the surprise in his son's eyes as he read the request. He could also tell his son had read the letter more than once, as if not believing its contents.

"And you're actually going to let me go? No argument at all?" Anduin asked, sounding just as surprised as his eyes had looked. The last time the pair had spoken about him going to the Exodar, things hadn't gone well. Those memories were fresh in the minds of both father and son.

Varian nodded, taking a step away from the wall. "You told me your time with the prophet was highly valuable to your development as a priest. If he wishes for your presence again, who am I to argue."

Anduin thought for a moment, looking down at the letter, then back up at his father. "You don't want me to go. Not really."

Varian chuckled, closing the distance between him and his son. He placed a hand on each of Anduin's shoulders.

"Of course I don't want you to leave. You're my only heir and it's important for you to be safe. However, you still need to learn and grow, so you're ready when your time comes to be king. As much as it pains me, it's important for you to go. I understand this."

"Kenya is rubbing off on you." Anduin joked with a smile. "Before meeting her, you would have never been this casual about something like this."

"So it would seem."

"Okay then, I'll make a plan to travel back to the Exodar."

"No need. The Vanguard will be prepared. It shouldn't take much more than a week for the ship to be ready to sail." Varian replied.

Anduin's eyes widened. "You wish for me to sail there?"

"You need to learn how to command a ship eventually. I plan to have Admiral Tayler command the ship, allowing you to shadow him during the voyage. Tayler is one of the best soldiers in our military. There is a great deal you can learn from him, but I also want you to follow his orders."

Silence hung in the room, only being broken by Varian's amused laughter.

"Shocked into silence, I see."

Anduin cleared his throat, as if being shaken awake. "I'm just not used to you treating me like an adult. Of course I'll follow all of the Admiral's commands."

"Good. I'm doing my best to start seeing you as a young man and not a youth. I think this transition will be a bit jarring for both of us." Varian sighed. "It's hard to see your child grow up and become independent. It was bound to happen, no matter how much I tried to fight it. This voyage will be good for both of us. You'll understand how I feel when you have children of your own."

"And you'll have Kenya here for encouragement and distraction when you start to second guess your decision. Just promise me you won't get married while I'm gone."

"Kenya would probably leave me if I even suggested it." Varian said with humor in his voice. He knew Kenya had a soft spot for her future stepson. "We might get engaged while you're gone, but I promise we won't do anything official unless you're here to help celebrate."

Anduin stood back and smiled at his father. The man before him was a totally different person than the man who'd tried to stop him from studying under Prophet Velen the first time. He was calm, happy and almost relaxed. Kenya hadn't just sanded off Varian's rough edges, she seemed to bring out the best in him. Anduin guessed this version of Varian was more like the man he'd been before the loss of his father and wife. The man who didn't need to constantly worry about the war and raising a son on his own.

"What?" Varian asked, noticing Anduin's smile.

"Nothing. I'm happy for you, Father. You seem…better…now."

Varian thought about the comment for a moment, then nodded. "I guess I am."


To Be Continued...